Latest news with #JudgeJudy
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
AI baby videos are going viral. Are they cute, creepy, or cringe?
Is your TikTok FYP inexplicably filling up with short clips of AI baby videos? If so, you're not alone, the AI baby videos are going viral across TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. These short AI-generated videos feature a cherubic baby-faced version of well-known figures, from world leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron to the stars of Friends. See also: Vin Diesel in Fast & Furious, Michael Jackson in "Thriller," and Judge Judy. So, are these videos cute, creepy, or cringe? Cringe is in the eye of the beholder, and your take on this trend will be informed by your general fondness for both babies and AI in general. Regardless, the viral videos are yet more proof that the AI slop machine is working overtime. "Slop" is the term for low-quality, AI-generated images and videos, and they can often go surprisingly viral. Some of the people sharing the clips may not even realize the videos are AI-generated, though we hope that goes without saying when you come across a video of baby Ice Cube (Lil' Ice Cube?) rapping "It Was a Good Day." The first question is easy to answer. Some videos are surely created by fans and AI enthusiasts, while others are churned out by content farms. Like those men shoveling coal into the Titanic's engines, the algorithms must be fueled, and content farms shovel a constant stream of memes, AI content, and stolen videos onto social media apps. This particular trend started a couple of weeks ago, with AI enthusiasts making AI videos featuring talking babies on podcasts. The trend evolved to AI videos of celebrities as babies, which is where we are now. As mentioned earlier, the trend has even reached the highest level of world government. Most creators are using a mix of different AI tools to create these baby videos, and you can find tutorials on YouTube and TikTok. However, I know what you're really wondering: Can I create these AI baby videos for free, and without being a tech wiz? Not really. I tried creating an AI video using TikTok's new free AI Alive tool, which turns images into animated videos. The results were, ah, not great! Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable To create an AI baby video from start to finish, you will need paid subscriptions to some popular AI tools. Some of these steps can be done with the free versions of the tools mentioned below, but generally, you need a paid subscription to generate a video. Upload a picture of yourself to ChatGPT (or your AI tool of choice); use a prompt like this: "Create a baby photo based on this image." Write a short script to go along with your video. Use the ElevenLabs text-to-speech tool (or a similar tool) to create an audio file for your "baby." Use an AI video tool like Hedra or Dreamina to generate a video based on your photo and audio file. Of course, all this comes at a cost, and not just for AI subscriptions. According to a new report from MIT Technology Review, generating one 5-second AI video is the energy equivalent of running a microwave for a full hour. Which AI video tool should you use? Google's brand new Veo 3 video generator is currently the most advanced video generator, but it also costs $250 a month to access as part of Google's AI Ultra Subscription. I was able to create a fairly realistic baby video using Veo in Gemini, but that's not exactly the point of the meme. Most creators seem to be using Hedra. Per Tech Crunch, Hedra just raised $32 million, and its Character-3 model is powering a lot of these AI baby videos.
New York Post
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Judge Judy reacts to her AI baby double: ‘Hilarious and frightening at the same time'
Acting real fake online As I told you yesterday, the world's wizards have caught up with the world's A-1 wise ass, my friend Judge Judy. Last month, this highest-paid voice on TV graciously told me: 'You owe me $12 for what you lost in gin.' But now artificial intelligence brings me her familiar voice, matches cadence, words. Wearing same judicial robes. Lace collar, small earrings. But it's not her. It's a talking baby, and grown up Judy has gone to LA and I'm now in NY. Many voice concerns. The film industry has actors now seeking protections against this techie threat. Hank Azaria, who does bigtime voice acting, says about artificial intelligence: 'I'm a little worried but I'm being honest. This is my job. What I love to do. I don't want to stop having to do it. 'A voice is not just a sound,' he says. He tells you his voices are layered impressions of others with his own memories and observations of their personalities and characters. 'So much of who I am goes into creating a voice. How can a computer conjure all that?' Cate Blanchett, coming to the world on TikTok, is quoted saying: 'I'm deeply concerned about the impact of AI.' An AI video of Judge Judy as a baby. TikTok/ As I raised this issue the ever savvy JJ replied: 'For those of you who haven't seen enough of Judge Judy, you can now watch Baby Judy in an AI-generated platform on X. It's hilarious and frightening at the same time. Like being cloned while you're still alive.' Then this real live trillionaire — with multiple shows on TV — again reminded me that I owe her $12. Ruff night guaranteed Attention: Animal lovers, ask your barktender for a new dachshund-shaped bottle. You can even growl your order, plus, maybe, request their accompanying dog biscuit if they have any. This new four-legged shaped bottle is available in Blanton's, Jack Daniel's, Jameson and Four Roses. Not in my house. In my house you get what my 5-year-old Yorkie Jellybean gets — and that's repeat directions to his powder room — and not! my kitchen floor! Seaside 'Street' I have more. We speak now of greed. Greed is nice. Good. Oceanfront Hampton was hawking a waterside hub that Gordon Gekko once slept in. The thing just got unloaded for $32 million. A Bridgehampton millionaire got it. What, you thought maybe it went to a bicycle delivery driver? One of the most expensive shacks unloaded in that area was pictorialized in the 1987 film 'Wall Street,' which starred Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen and Daryl Hannah. If you were never invited there — not my problem. This 67 Surfside Drive pile — according to Suffolk County abacus owners — is considered one of Suffolk County's more expensive unloads. In his spare time Letting Harry — prince of a guy married to commoner Markle — know that NYC's British Consulate is honoring daddy. His Majesty. Although His Maj is in London this is a reception for his kingly birthday. Apparently monarchs get two. This one's Friday, June 6, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Short. Longer than that other prince may have spent with the now departed prisoner Epstein. His Majesty's birthday is at the Rockefeller rink. I cannot help getting you in. Only one who ever managed to get in anyplace was Meghan Markle. They're sticky. Check with the Brits for your invite. Tell you the truth, I haven't seen so much respect and admiration for a Princelike Harry since my own editor stood alone in front of a three-way mirror. Only in New York, kids, only in New York.
Daily Mail
07-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
'Billionaires' row' takes over once peaceful Florida retirement paradise
Once known as a sleepy fishing town for snowbird retirees, Naples, FL, has t ransformed into one of the nation's most elite enclaves — dubbed the new Palm Beach. Ultra-wealthy billionaires are scooping up beachfront mega-mansions in record numbers, building a quiet empire of wealth along the Gulf Coast. With pristine beaches, no state income tax, and old-world charm, Naples has become a paradise for deep-pocketed investors, financiers, and real estate tycoons. The city was named the 'preferred retirement spot for the rich, powerful and cold-averse' in 2024 by US News & World Report, which crowned it the No. 1 place to live in America. Now, it's referred to as the Palm Beach of the Gulf Coast. 'The whole world is your oyster right here,' Naples luxury estate realtor Angela Lutzi Dellatorè told the 'It's a very culturally interesting place, but it's also very under the radar.' Judge Judy Sheindlin, Papa John's founder John Schnatter, Best Buy founder Richard Schulze, and Jason Bourne author Robert Ludlum all call Naples home. One standout deal: an $85 million newly built mansion originally designed for a private owner was recently bought by billionaire businessman David Hoffmann. That sale wasn't even the highest on record. In an off-market deal, another mega-mansion - a 15-acre compound containing three separate beachfront estates - sold for $225 million, according to Zillow. It was Florida's most expensive home sale ever. Take that Palm Beach. Last year, another stunning nine-acre compound listed for $295 million. 'It's turned into billionaire's row,' says Naples luxury realtor PJ Smith. 'It's a quiet enclave of luxury living. The famous, uber-wealthy live in Naples under the radar and they love it.' Naples is home to the most prestigious, exclusive neighborhoods, like Port Royal, known for waterfront mega-mansions with private beach access and private docks ideal for yacht owners. Other top neighborhoods like Park Shore, Pelican Bay, and Grey Oaks offer waterfront living, championship golf courses, private beach clubs, and resort-style amenities that cater to affluent tastes. It's known for its world-class amenities and the chill lifestyle. Residents enjoy access to gourmet dining, upscale shopping districts like Fifth Avenue South and Mercato, cultural venues, and luxury recreational activities including golf, tennis, pickleball, boating, and pristine beaches. The city's vibrant social scene and cultural offerings provide a sophisticated yet relaxed vibe. Naples offers a wide range of high-end properties from grand estate homes with expansive outdoor living spaces and modern gourmet kitchens to luxury condos with stunning Gulf views. The gated communities with exclusive access offer privacy and security. Low crime rates provide the safety that high-net-worth individuals seek. Tailored concierge services in Naples simplify life for wealthy residents by managing errands, event planning, wellness coordination, and securing exclusive access to top venues, allowing residents to fully enjoy the luxury lifestyle without stress. Location and climate are also a big draw. Naples' prime Gulf Coast location offers stunning beaches, year-round sunshine, and a temperate climate that supports an active outdoor lifestyle, highly valued by affluent retirees and second-home owners. Naples has also been certified as a 'Blue Zone' - one of the regions around the world known for having a high concentration of centenarians Naples boasts a famously happy population, coming in first place on the Gallup Well-Being Index. It consistently ranks high on various lists of where to retire, happiest place to live, best golf and best boating in the US. It also happens to be the Pickleball Capital of the World, with 64 courts scattered around the city. 'The reason that people are drawn to this area has so much to do with the downtown area being right by the waterside - there's so many little inlets to boat to,' Dellatorè, who owns her own firm, says. 'Boat slightly north and you have restaurants and shopping and museums and there's a fine arts center that has Broadway plays. It's a very culturally interesting place.' Wealthy residents have access to a private airport that can whisk them off to New York or Europe with no hassle. There are ferries that go down to the Florida Keys (or you can take your own boat - as many of the locals do) and you can't drive far before you hit one of the area's world class golf clubs. There's a Ritz-Carlton in Naples, and another luxury hotel is being built just north of the city and will feature fine-dining options. Dellatorè explains that Naples is a place where billionaires can ditch the boardroom suits and go out to lunch in flip-flops and shorts. 'There are so many wealthy people that live here and they choose Naples because nobody pays attention,' she told the Daily Mail. 'It's a very casual atmosphere.' If someone is in the mood to show off their wealth, there are select members-only country clubs and high-end car dealerships nearby. The Artis–Naples performance Center is the hotspot for shows and home to the Naples Philharmonic. Naples has also been certified as a 'Blue Zone' - one of the regions around the world known for having a high concentration of centenarians. These geographic areas have exceptionally high rates of people with healthy habits who live long, often beyond the age of 100. Researchers who have studied these regions have found residents share lifestyle choices that contribute to longevity, like a healthy diet, robust exercise regimens, social connections and a sense of purpose. 'Naples has been very much involved in trying to help people understand how they can live a long and healthy life,' Dellatorè said. Most of the local restaurants and one famous local store, Seed to Table, have committed to serving and selling vegetables and fruit that have not been treated with any chemicals, making for healthy eating for the community as a whole. Downtown is bustling, and the first luxury high-rise apartment building opened there recently. Ascent at Metropolitan Naples, where apartments overlook the Gulf of Mexico, celebrated with a grand opening for its wealthy buyers. Naples also offers year-round beach access. It has some of the best hospitals in the country and houses religious institutions for many denominations. The city has plenty to do outside, with multiple parks and bike trails. There are yacht shows and food festivals all year round. Due to all this, more and more mega-mansions are popping up, with helicopter pads as a standard amenity. Meanwhile, while the ultra-rich continue to flock to certain parts of Florida, other areas are teetering on the edge of a housing crash. Experts warn that the Miami housing market is on a knife-edge as spiraling numbers of homebuyers pull out of deals. It's the latest area in the Sunshine State at risk of a crash. Inventory is flooding the market, prices are being slashed, and sales are stalling - as the impact of President Donald Trump 's tariffs raise fears of a recession. 'April pending sales are way down and it will be even worse next month,' said local Florida realtor Jeff Lichtenstein. In March, 18 percent of pending home sales in Miami fell through, according to Redfin. That gives the city the 20th-highest cancellation rate among the 50 largest US metropolitan areas. 'The collapse in demand in Miami's housing market is breathtaking,' real estate analyst Nick Gerli, CEO of real estate analysis platform Reventure App, wrote on X. 'Sales are down 50% from pandemic peak, and are 30 percent below the long-term average for March.'
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
Here's a timeline of the 'Judy Justice' food stamp fraud case in Milwaukee
Katrina Weems, the Milwaukee woman who admitted on an episode of the TV show "Judy Justice" that she sold Wisconsin FoodShare benefits, has been ordered to pay restitution to the state. The case has gotten a lot of attention since 2023 when Weems and another woman, Java'la Elam, were charged after publicly talking about how they bought or sold food stamps on "Judy Justice" the year before. In the television show, Judy Sheindlin, a former family court judge in Manhattan, presides over a TV courtroom and arbitrates disputes. Earlier, Sheindlin starred in the long-running "Judge Judy" daytime show. Weems now must pay over $1,500 to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services as a condition of her probation in an arrangement that was reached Tuesday, online court records show. Here is a timeline of the entire case with links to the Journal Sentinel's coverage: In August 2023, Weems was charged with five felonies and four misdemeanors, including money laundering and unauthorized use of food stamps. Elam was charged in the same case with one felony count of illegally trafficking food stamps. On their episode of "Judy Justice," Weems and Elam sought to resolve a dispute over a used car sake. But they spent much of the episode discussing selling and buying food stamps, according to a transcript of the show quoted in the criminal complaint filed in Milwaukee County Circuit Court. On the show, Elam told Sheindlin that Weems was buying food stamps from Elam and others. "If I was to sell her $100 in stamps, she'll give me $50," Elam told the judge. Weems told the judge she uses the stamps to buy food and also gives the stamps away. She said she bought them from people who "need the money." Read more: 'Judy Justice' TV show appearance leads to two Milwaukee women charged with felonies In September 2023, Weems pleaded not guilty to the charges of multiple counts of money laundering and of misusing FoodShare benefits. Prosecutors alleged that Weems financed the purchase of other people's FoodShare benefits and laundered them by using their EBT cards for herself. At a preliminary hearing in Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Judge Brittney C. Grayson found there was probable cause to bind the case over for trial. Elam failed to show up for an Aug. 25, 2023, court date. A bench warrant for her arrest was issued that day. Read more: Milwaukee woman charged in 'Judy Justice' food stamp fraud case pleads not guilty In January 2024, Elam pleaded guilty in Milwaukee County Circuit Court to a felony charge of knowingly trafficking food stamps between $100-$5,000. She also pleaded to a misdemeanor charge of knowingly trafficking food stamps of less than $100. In court, Assistant District Attorney Nicolas J. Heitman requested that sentencing for Elam be adjourned, pending the resolution of charges against Weems. Elam agreed to testify against Weems during Weems' trial. Elam was later given three days in jail. Read more: 'Judy Justice' food stamp suspect pleads guilty, will testify against co-defendant In November 2024, a jury convicted Weems on six of the nine counts against her. She was convicted on three counts of money laundering and three counts of misusing FoodShare benefits, but was acquitted on three other counts. In January 2025, a judge sentenced Weems to five days in jail. Assistant District Attorney Nicolas J. Heitman argued during a sentencing hearing that Weems took advantage of some of Milwaukee's poorest and most vulnerable residents to enrich herself by selling their benefit cards. Weems denied the claims and said she was giving aid to desperate people who needed it or otherwise couldn't help themselves. Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Jorge Fragoso ordered Weems to six months behind bars, but stayed the sentence, and placed her on 12 months probation. Read more: Milwaukee woman who confessed to selling food stamps on 'Judy Justice' gets 5 days in jail In March 2025, Weems was ordered to pay $1,533.84 to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services as a condition of her probation in an arrangement that was reached March 4, online court records show. More: Milwaukee woman who admitted on TV's 'Judy Justice' she sold food stamps must pay restitution Journal Sentinel reporter Carey Spivak contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about 'Judy Justice' food stamp fraud case in Milwaukee
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Yahoo
Milwaukee woman who admitted on TV's 'Judy Justice' she sold food stamps must pay restitution
A Milwaukee woman who admitted on an episode of TV's "Judy Justice" that she sold Wisconsin FoodShare benefits has been ordered to pay restitution to the state. Katrina Weems, 36, must pay $1,533.84 to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services as a condition of her probation in an arrangement was reached Tuesday, online court records show. Milwaukee County prosecutors charged Weems and Java'la Elams in July 2023 with multiple counts of money laundering and of misusing the benefits of FoodShare benefits, the Wisconsin food stamp program. The charges were filed after the pair appeared before TV judge Judith Sheindlin on a 2022 episode of TV's "Judy Justice." They were on the show to resolve a dispute over the sale of a used 2005 Toyota Camry, but revealed during the segment they sold food stamps, drawing the attention of fraud investigators in Wisconsin. FoodShare is the Wisconsin food stamp program; it's the state's name for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Residents who are disabled, retired, living on a small fixed income or rely on low-income jobs are often eligible. Nearly 710,000 people in Wisconsin receive FoodShare benefits, according to the most recent DHS data. Weems was convicted in January on three counts of money laundering and three counts of misusing FoodShare benefits, but was acquitted on three other counts. Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Jorge Fragoso ordered Weems to six months behind bars, but stayed the sentence, and placed her on 12 months probation. The judge also ordered Weems to spend five days in jail. Elams, 27, of Milwaukee, pleaded guilty in January 2024 to a felony charge of knowingly trafficking food stamps and testified against Weems at trial. Elams was given three days in jail. "Judy Justice" is the continuation of the long-running "Judge Judy" daytime show that also starred Sheindlin, a former family court judge in Manhattan. "Judge Judy" ended in 2021. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee woman said on 'Judy Justice' she sold food stamps, must pay
